The Basics
[CASE, MOBO and PSU] Shuttle SH67H3
[CPU] Intel i3-2120 3.3 GHz
[RAM] 8 GB RAM
[HDD] OCZ Technology 60 GB Solid State hard drive
WD 2 TB 3.5" black hard drive
WD 2 TB 3.5" green hard drive
[OS] Microsoft Windows Home
Server 2011
My Server Needs
I wanted a small, quiet and presentable case for my server
which used recent computer technology. I also wanted a computer
which could be repurposed later when upgrading. The Shuttle
SH67H3 barebones filled the bill at $229.99. I was familar with these
Shuttle barebones computers having in the past building desktop
computers using them.
My server holds backups
created for all my computers using WHS (Windows Home Server
2011) and ATI (Acronis
True Image 2012). It also acts as a media server with a
small collection of ripped DVD's and ISO's using
HandBrake and
BDlot DVD ISO
Master and played through my wired network using a
Western Digital TV Media Player in the living room. I also
have digital camera images, videos and music on the server.
My server also hosts tools used in computer repair such as
WSUS Offline Update
and others.
Build Notes
I was curious to see what the WEI (Windows Experience Index)
was on this newly built Shuttle box. I installed Windows 7 and
here's the
system information and the WEI.
I started only using two drives with the OS on the first drive.
I later found this unique item which converts a PCI expansion
card slot into a removable 2.5" SATA hard drive accessible from
the rear panel of a computer case. I now have three drives in
the case with room for one more drive totaling 4.
StarTech S25SLOTR 2.5in SATA Removable Hard Drive Bay for PC
Expansion Slot
StartTech
Newegg
I found Shuttle was regularly updating the BIOS. So I created a
USB flash drive that works in DOS. Now I have a use for the old
512 MB USB flash drives.
How to make a bootable USB Flash to boot into DOS?
GoCoding
Then I found out you could use Acronis True Image Home 2012 on
Windows Home Server 2011.
Can you install
Acronis True Image Home 2012 on Windows Home Server 2011?
14879: Windows
Home Server Support in Acronis Products
Acronis True Image Home 2012 Review
Backing Up the Server
Since WHS 2011 no longer has DE (Drive Extender) I had to devise another way to backup the WHS. I did not want to use a separate RAID controller card. I installed ATI onto the server. I backed up the WHS OS, which is on a separate laptop hard drive, over the network to another PC. It creates an approximate 10GB TIB (True Image Backup) file. I have successfully restored this file onto another laptop hard drive and replaced the drive in the WHS box. It worked fast and flawless. I am currently backing up the 2 TB data drive to an external USB drive using ATI. The second 2 TB drive is currently not being used. When I put the second 2 TB drive in use I will modify the data drive (s) backup.
Solid State Drive Modification
The guys over at BYOB and TheHomerServer Show have convinced
me that replacing my notebook drive where the WHS OS resides
with a SSD (Solid State Drive) will give me a better
experience on the Dashboard. I picked up the drive for $75 with
NO TAX and FREE shipping. I used ATI to backup the OS hard drive
with the 100MB partition. I then restored that to the OCZ 60GB
SSD. I now have a screaming Windows Home Server!!!
Detailed Hardware Specs and Links
Shuttle SH67H3
US
/
Global
Shuttle SH67H3 - 360° Product Video
YouTube
Shuttle SH67H3 Barebones Mini PC Unboxing & First Look
Linus Tech Tips
YouTube
Shuttle SH67H3 Intel Core i3, i5, i7 (LGA1155)
Intel Socket H2 (LGA1155) Intel H67 Intel HD Graphics 2000/3000
integrated in the processor 1 x HDMI XPC Barebone
Amazon /
Newegg
Intel Core i3-2120 Processor 3.3 GHz 3MB Cache
Socket LGA1155
Amazon
Kingston Technology ValueRAM 4 GB Desktop
Memory DDR3 1333 MHz (PC3 10600) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
KVR1333D3N9/4G x 2 8GB
Amazon
OCZ Technology 60 GB Vertex 3 Series SATA 6.0
Gb/s 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive VTX3-25SAT3-60G
Amazon
Western Digital 2 TB Caviar Black 64MB Cache
SATA 6.0 Gb/s 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive - WD2002FAEX
Amazon
Western Digital 2 TB Caviar Green 64MB Cache
SATA 3.0 Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - WD20EARS
Amazon